We are excited to share that Orlando Rojas and the BioProducts Institute (BPI) team have been awarded the 2024 Materials Today Agents of Change Award, jointly funded by the Elsevier Foundation and Materials Today journals.
This award supports BPI’s Indigenous Youth Outreach Program, a collaborative initiative led by the BPI EDII Committee in partnership with the BC Ministry of Forests and Indigenous Outreach Society of Canada. The program aims to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities and broaden access to STEM pathways for Indigenous youth.
The outreach program is designed to offer high school or undergraduate students from remote Indigenous communities an immersive experience at UBC, including lab tours, hands-on workshops, mentorship, and engagement with BPI researchers. Students also participate in BPI’s community-wide signature events—such as Community Day—which promote mutual learning between Indigenous leaders, scientists, students, and stakeholders. While program components may change based on the availability of facilities, researchers, and partners, the mission remains the same: to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment where Indigenous youth can see themselves as future leaders in science and innovation.
“This award affirms our commitment to empowering Indigenous youth and amplifying their voices in the future of biobased materials innovation,” says Professor Rojas.
Learn more about the award: https://www.elsevier.com/subject/materials-today/agents-of-change
EDII Committee members:
Ariane Fernandes, Adriana Manso, Anderson Veiga, Akash Madhav Gondaliya, Ayako Takagi, Daniela Vargas Figueroa, Gregory Paradis, Heather Trajano, Jaya Joshi, Kelley Oh, Marina Mehling, Orlando Rojas, Qingshi Tu, Siddiqua Sumi, Yalan Liang
We’re thrilled to keep building a more inclusive future—together!
